Sharjah, UAE – As the new academic year begins, many parents in the UAE are turning to creative solutions to manage the financial burden of school fees.
With most schools requiring term-based payments, parents like Umm Ahmed have successfully negotiated alternative payment plans to ease their financial strain.
Umm Ahmed, a single mother, has been managing her 11-year-old son’s school fees through a monthly payment plan for the past four years.
“We joined the school when my son was in Grade 2 and now he is in Grade 6,” Umm Ahmed shared. “For the last four years, the school has been very understanding and allowed me to use a payment plan for clearing the school fees. It has been a lifesaver for me.”
Like Umm Ahmed, several other parents are also seeking flexible payment options to avoid the strain of paying a lump sum at the start of each term.
While most UAE schools require term-based payments, some institutions are accommodating parents by offering monthly payment plans or accepting credit card payments to spread the cost.
Diverse Payment Options
Many schools in the UAE, particularly those following the Indian curriculum, offer parents the option to pay fees either monthly or term-wise. Hannah K., a parent of a Grade 1 student at Our Own English High School in Dubai, appreciates this flexibility.
“My child goes to Our Own English High School in Dubai, and the school gives me the option to pay it on a monthly or term basis,” she said.
“I am thankful for that option because it doesn’t burden us unnecessarily. Parents also have the option to pay bus fees on a monthly basis.”
Similarly, Manish Khiara, whose son attends the Indian High School in Dubai, notes that the school has long provided a monthly payment option.
“The school has had a monthly payment plan since I was a student there in the 1990s,” he said. “They have the same system now when my son is studying there.”
Credit Cards and Alternative Financial Solutions
For some parents, credit cards and financial services have become essential tools for managing school fee payments.
Banks and financial platforms like Tabby and Payit offer options to break down school fee payments into manageable installments without interest. However, accessing these options can be challenging for some.
Umm Ahmed, who faced difficulty obtaining a credit card due to her financial situation, initially sought assistance from the school. “The bank requires those applying for a credit card to have a salary above Dh5000,” she explained.
“Since I was staying in company accommodation, my housing allowance was being deducted from my salary. So the amount that came into my account was less than Dh5000. This caused my request for a credit card to be rejected. That is why I approached the school.”
Sharjah resident Mohammed Iqbal also turned to a credit card for the first time to manage his school fees. “I had always paid school fees on a quarterly basis for all my three children,” Iqbal said.
“However, last year I had a financial emergency and was unable to make the quarterly payment. I approached the school for a payment plan, but they refused to cooperate. That is how I was forced to take a credit card.”
Iqbal found the credit card option crucial for breaking down the large fee payments into more manageable chunks.
“I was very thankful for the option because I was on the verge of pulling my children out of school as there was no way for me to afford the tuition fee,” he added.
Understanding Schools
While most schools in the UAE adhere to term-based fee structures, some are flexible in accommodating parents facing financial difficulties.
A senior spokesperson at a leading British-syllabus school in Jumeirah confirmed that the management sometimes allows monthly payments in “unique circumstances.” “The rule is that school fees must be paid on a quarterly basis,” he said.
“However, there are instances when people face financial difficulties and approach the school. We are understanding of it and negotiate a payment plan with them. However, this is not something we advertise because we don’t want parents to approach us without a legitimate reason.”
Nighat Abbas, a Sharjah resident with three children in various educational institutions, shared her experience with negotiating payment plans.
“With three children studying in university, an institute, and school, the start of school terms is always challenging for us,” she said.
“We approached the school and institute for a payment plan. The school refused, but the institute agreed to do so. It has been a big help for us.”
Conclusion
The rising cost of education in the UAE has prompted many parents to seek flexible payment solutions to manage their finances effectively.
While term-based payments remain the standard, the willingness of some schools to offer alternative payment plans and the availability of financial tools such as credit cards and installment platforms have provided crucial relief for many families.
As the academic year progresses, it is clear that financial flexibility remains a vital consideration for parents striving to ensure their children’s education continues without interruption.